Chapter L: K. Hostetter (2)

Last fall in Gallatin County native pecans of the best grades sold for 18 cents per pound on the market, while the average tree run stock was bringing six cents. With a native pecan crop from one county in Illinois, more or less ungraded, selling for $100,000 in a recent year, thinking horticulturists in the state are beginning to feel that there are potential profits in nut culture where better varieties are planted or top worked. Seedling trees for top working are already growing in abundance in many sections of the state with an ideal climate and soil for northern nut production.

Last year seven counties in Illinois carried on the top working project. This year approximately three times that number have been enrolled. In addition, groups from neighboring counties have been present at the demonstrations. Growers from Iowa and Indiana have also attended. The total attendance has run into the hundreds, both men and women, most of them actual growers.

All the meetings are held out of doors in the orchard or nursery and the group is instructed in the propagation of nut trees through grafting and budding. Nut growers of the immediate locality are glad to assist with the work. After the discussion and demonstration, all present are invited to learn how to do the work by actual participation and many become sufficiently skilled to top work their own trees upon their return home. Possibilities of this type of extension work are almost unlimited.

* * * * *

_Letter from J. U. Gellatly_

I enclose a short chart or graph of the flowering habits of some of my leading walnut trees. I started in 1930 to keep a record of some of the trees and have added a number since till this year when I kept a record of 17 different trees. The ones shown cover the full time from May 12th to June 25th.

Some new ideas in budding procedure that may be of value and interest I also include herein that others may test them out as I am doing. But even if they fail with me it will not prove that they have no value, for the generally approved methods have failed to give commercial results here.

My main idea was to try to find a new system of handling the budding operations that would give more definite results and if possible to eliminate the use of a wax melter and the waxing of buds. My first trial consisted in the use of florist's tin foil. Cutting bud from bud stick with my new style bud cutter, I cut out the patch from stalk and placed bud in place and with two or three turns of raffia, or rubber bands, secured bud in place, then put 2 wraps of tinfoil around the bud and stalk extending from one inch below to one inch above bud, then with hand pressed tinfoil tightly to shape of bud and stalk, then completely wrapped with raffia and tied securely. This makes a neat job and is pleasant and convenient to work with.

I have today examined some buds so treated and put on the 13th of August and they appear to be in prime shape, no apparent flooding or souring of the bud patch. As this tin foil cost me 25c per pound, I had a happy thought of using cellophane which is much cheaper and is equally easy to use, on the whole, as the tinfoil as, while it is in the first operation of actually applying to stalk not just as easily put on, it has an important advantage that offsets this, which is the ease with which one can see that the bud is in the exact place, while the tying is taking place.

My present method of using the cellophane is to apply a double wrapping of cellophane directly over the bud then to securely wrap from one-half inch below bud to one-half inch above bud. This makes a good air and moisture proof job. Experience may modify or eliminate some parts of this procedure, and it is with this in view that I pass this on that others may take it up and work out the best procedure from a wider experience than one can give.

From my experience I would suggest that if one is marking or cutting the patch on the stalk 8 or 10 days ahead of placing the bud thereon, that one be very careful not to cut too deeply as a large percentage of those I so cut were so badly discolored that I had to cut a new place when placing the bud, as those done 10 days previous showed a one-eighth inch dead and discolored portion around the cut that extend one-sixteenth inch into the trunk of the tree, and no union could possibly take place on such a spoiled cambium surface.

Bus Tour September 12th

_By_ J. W. HERSHEY

_Downington, Pennsylvania_

Leaving the Hotel Swan at 8:45 A.M. with a bus load and 8 cars the tour proceeded to Dr. Truman W. Jones' grove of 800 trees, 4 and 6 years old, 6 miles west of Coatesville on the Lincoln Highway. Dr. Jones has continually farmed his land which has helped greatly to carry the planting.

The next stop was at the nursery of the late J. F. Jones, now operated by his daughter Mildred, south of Lancaster. Here we saw the interesting test orchard of English walnuts, pecans and black walnuts. Most interesting was the test block of hybrid filbert-hazels started by Mr. Jones some years ago.

The next stop was at C. F. Hostetter's 1,000 tree grove at Bird-in-Hand, east of Lancaster, where we saw what Mr. Hostetter told about in his paper yesterday. His trees all looked nice and many trees were well loaded with nuts.

Next stop was at L. K. Hostetter's grove of 800 trees near Oregon. Here very interesting observations were made in tree and grove procedure. Part of the grove is now in blue grass and sheep, making a very beautiful setting. Part is interplanted with locust trees, the idea being to feed the ground with a legume tree and get something in return from the wood. As the locusts crowd the walnuts they will be cut.

Demonstrations were given in hulling walnuts with a Ford car which was done by jacking up one rear wheel. A trough is inserted under the wheel lined with a piece of truck tire. A mud chain is put on the wheel and as the wheel revolves, nuts are poured in via a metal chute and the nuts fly out the other end very well hulled. The jack is used to adjust the wheel to different sizes of nuts.

Lem's next eye-opener was a brand new method of separating the hulls from the nuts. Two 2-inch pipes are laid on an incline the thickness of a walnut hull, about a half inch, apart. The pipes revolve and the hulls and nuts are poured on at the top. As they roll down the incline, and the rolls revolve, the hulls are caught by the rolls or pipes and pulled through the crack between them. A most remarkable and simple method solving one of the major problems in commercial walnut growing.

The last stop was made at Dr. Frank Baum's grove at Yellow House, 8 miles east of Reading on the Boyertown highway. Here luncheon was served by Dr. and Mrs. Baum, the outstanding feature being walnut ice cream and walnut kisses.

After the luncheon at Dr. Baum's the following business was transacted:

Dr. Deming, Chairman Nominating Committee, presented the following nominations:

President Frank H. Frey
Vice-President Dr. G. A. Zimmerman
Secretary George L. Slate
Treasurer Newton H. Russell

On motion duly made and carried these officers were elected by acclamation.

Motion was made, seconded and carried that the annual dues be $2.00 same not to include a subscription to our official journal the National Nut News.

Motion by Mr. Reed was seconded and carried that where the member wished to do so one check could be submitted to our treasurer to cover both dues and subscription to the official journal and the treasurer will remit the subscription to the National Nut News.

Mr. Reed then explained for the benefit of those present the arrangement whereby our association is affiliated with the American Horticultural Society and by maintaining its membership in that society each member of our association may secure a membership in the American Horticultural Society on payment of $2.00 dues per annum instead of the customary dues of $3.00. Each member of the society receives the National Horticultural Magazine of which Mr. Reed is the nut editor. The magazine is issued quarterly, at present, and it is the intention to have one or more articles on nut trees in each issue.

On motion by Dr. Smith, duly seconded and carried the board of directors are required to authorize a budget of expenditures for each year and this was fixed at $350.00 for expenses for year ending September 10th, 1934. The President to advise the officers each year of the sums appropriated for certain expenses.

On motion by Mr. Russell, seconded by Dr. Weber and carried, article two of the by-laws was revised to cover the proper dues for various memberships and will be so recorded in the by-laws on page 9.

On motion by Mr. Hershey, seconded by Dr. Weber and carried it was agreed that five copies of each annual bulletin be mailed by the secretary or the person in charge of printing the bulletin to each officer for distribution as he sees fit; and that one copy of the bulletin be sent gratis to each non-member who participates in the program at our annual conventions.

A rising vote of thanks was given Dr. and Mrs. Baum for the delectable luncheon served by them.

An inspection was then made of Dr. Baum's 1,200 tree grove. Many trees were loaded and all looking good. Here two cultural problems were discussed. Relative to the walnut blight, he showed us one tree that was afflicted near the ground and he started to mound soil around it. After three years of increasing the mound it is now 2-1/2 feet high and the tree is thriving and bearing, with every indication that it has overcome the disease. Opinion was expressed that it threw out new roots above the wound to save itself. The experiment is of immense value to orchard procedure.

In observing a few of such trees opinion was expressed that in walnut orcharding, as in fruit orcharding, there will be a few trees that will have to be replaced the first few years and is something not to be worried about. Dr. G. A. Zimmerman said, "Why worry about the blight? The wild ones have always had it to a small extent. Spread is so slow it isn't perceptible, damage being almost nil, so let's forget it."

Banquet Tuesday Evening September 12th

The convention closed with a banquet held in the private dining room of the Swan Hotel. On request of the President Mr. John W. Hershey introduced the speakers of the evening. Rev. G. Paul Musselman spoke briefly and was followed by the after-dinner speaker, Mr. Al Bergstrom, Superintendent of Police of Coatesville, Pa. His subject was "Nuts--I Crack Them as You Like Them," and with many interesting jokes and humorous stories he portrayed an interesting picture of the many problems that have to be met and solved by police officers. Each one privileged to hear this forceful speaker was deeply impressed with the responsibility that goes with citizenship.

Business Session

The President: We will now hear the report of the committee on Hybrids and Promising Seedlings.

Dr. Zimmerman, Chairman, gave an oral report calling attention to some of the more important hybrids and new seedlings described by other members during the sessions of the convention and concluded by stating that the most important step in testing hybrids was to have interested people plant a number of promising hybrids of hickories and black walnuts and keep accurate records of these seedlings (second generation hybrids). There was some discussion as to whether the Norton was a pure pecan or a hybrid. Mr. C. A. Reed stated he had seen the parent tree himself and believed it to be a pure pecan. Mr. J. W. Hershey stated that he believed it to be a hican, basing his opinion in part on its showing hybridity as it is such a strong grower. He said he had a number of Norton trees in the nursery and would be glad to sell them at a nominal price to those who would be interested in testing them further.

The President: We will now have the report of the resolutions committee.

Report of the Resolutions Committee

Be it Resolved:

That we express our appreciation of the generosity and public
spirit of Mr. W. K. Kellogg in making possible one of the largest
experimental projects in nut culture in the northern United States.

That we express our sincere thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Hershey and Dr.
and Mrs. Baum for the delicious luncheons served our members and
guests.

That we express our sincere thanks to the Swan Hotel management and
to the citizens and business men of Downingtown for accommodations
and services rendered: to the program committee and committee on
local arrangements for the very complete plans and their efficient
execution; to the speakers who have taken part in the program; to
the exhibitors and to the officers and members who have provided a
most interesting and educational program and to Messrs. Hershey, L.
K. Hostetter, C. F. Hostetter, the Jones Nurseries and Drs. Baum
and Jones for the privilege of inspecting their nut tree plantings.

And we again express our regrets that Dr. Morris could not be with
us and trust his health will improve.

That we express our sincere thanks to Mr. O. C. Lightner for the
efficient manner in which articles and papers submitted by our
members were published in our official journal, the "NATIONAL NUT
NEWS," and for the excellent printing of our annual report.

We wish to express our deep sorrow over the loss of our faithful
member, Past President and Secretary, Mr. Willard G. Bixby whose
passing was so touchingly referred to in our business meeting.

Resolutions Committee,

Prof. James A. Neilson, Chairman
Dr. Harry R. Weber
Frank H. Frey

A motion was made and seconded to accept the report of the Resolutions Committee. (Carried unanimously.)

Professor A. C. McIntyre of the Pennsylvania State Forestry Service was then called upon and discussed the black walnut as a timber tree. He called attention to the fact that the black locust is a legume of high value and acts as a stimulant to the growth of other trees and are themselves excellent for use later as fence posts. In considering the relative value of various nut trees as shade trees he stressed the fact that the time of leafing out in the spring and the dropping of the leaves in the fall are important factors.

Motion was carried that the board of directors should formulate requirements for Honorary membership and have a proposition ready for discussion at the 1934 convention.

List of officers and committee members was then read. Same are recorded on pages 3 and 4.

The President: Attention is called to the fact that the annual dues are now only $2.00 and surely there are a large number of people interested in nut tree growing who will wish to join our association. I am sure each member will wish to subscribe for our official journal, the NATIONAL NUT NEWS, the subscription price of which is only $1.00 per year (in the United States) and remittance may be made through our Treasurer or direct to the News at 2810 South Michigan Ave., Chicago.

Those who desire to secure budded or grafted nut bearing trees will have their orders given proper attention by any of the following who are members of our association:

W. R. Fickes, Route 7, Wooster,
Ohio.

Gerardi Nurseries, O'Fallon, Ill.

John W. Hershey, Downingtown,
Pa.

Indiana Nut Nursery (J. W. Wilkinson,
Prop.), Rockport, Ind.

J. F. Jones Nurseries, Box N. 356,
Lancaster, Pa.

Michigan Nut Nursery (H. Burgart),
Rt. 2, Union City, Mich.

E. A. Riehl Farm and Nursery,
Godfrey, Ill.

Snyder Bros., Inc., Center Point,
Iowa.

Sunny Ridge Nursery (Dr. J.
Russell Smith), Round Hill, Va.

W. G. Bixby Nursery, 32 Grand
Ave., Baldwin, N. Y.

J. U. Gellatly, West Bank, B. C.,
Canada.

The Living Tree Guild, 468 Fourth
Ave., New York.

The latter has distributed a great deal of information on northern nut culture and I think a paper at our next convention outlining its work and accomplishments would be most valuable.

Each one present is cordially invited to attend our convention next year, September 10 and 11, 1934 at Battle Creek, Michigan.

As there is no further business, this the 24th Annual Convention of the Northern Nut Growers Association will be adjourned.

The Convention adjourned at 9:00 P.M.

EXHIBITS

=By Clermont Co., Ohio=

Hill hickories.

=By Dr. Deming=

Metal tree labels.

=By W. R. Dunlap=

Japanese walnut.
Heartnut × butternut cross.
Seedling English walnut.

=By F. H. Frey=

Black walnuts:
Hillabolt, from Mrs. C. W. Freel, Pleasantville, Ia.
Marion, from Mrs. C. W. Freel, Pleasantville, Ia.
Metcalf, from Mrs. C. W. Freel, Pleasantville, Ia.
Wheeling, from Mrs. C. W. Freel, Pleasantville, Ia.
Worthington, from Mrs. C. W. Freel, Pleasantville, Ia.
Kettler, from Fred Kettler, Plattesville, Wisc.
Oklahoma Seedling (J. Rupestris, pp. 60 1932 report).
Rohwer, from J. Rohwer, Grundy Center, Ia.
Grundy, from J. Rohwer, Grundy Center, Ia.
Stabler (one lobe), from O. H. Casper, Anna, Ill.
Sample package of new method selling black walnuts, sliced shell and
meats together.
Mat made of cross sections of black walnuts fastened together with copper
wire.

=By J. U. Gellatly=

Leaf tracing of bitternut × English walnut hybrid.

=By Samuel Graham=

Collection of black walnuts and hickory nuts from Ithaca, N. Y.

=By J. R. Hershey=

Little Giant nut cracker.
Little Giant walnut huller.

=By John W. Hershey=

Collection of black walnuts, hickory nuts and pecans.
One Thomas black walnut tree four feet tall, one year from graft bearing
a Thomas walnut.
John W. Hershey nut cracker.

=By L. K. Hostetter=

Monterey black walnut.

=By F. F. Jones Nurseries=

Ohio black walnut.
Thomas black walnut.
Ten Eyck black walnut.
Pleas hicans.
Buchanan filberts.
Jones hybrid hazels and filberts.
Alpine English walnuts.
Hall English walnuts.
Wiltz-mayette English walnuts.

=By H. F. Stoke=

Homeland black walnut.
Exhibit of commercial 2-lb. package of black walnut kernels.

=By Harry R. Weber=

Weber walnut.

=By Dr. G. A. Zimmerman=

Collection of nuts.

ATTENDANCE--1933 CONVENTION

Mrs. Laura Woodward Abbott, R. D. No. 2, Bristol, Pa.
John Alcorn, Paoli, Pa.

Dr. Frank L. Baum, Boyertown, Pa.
Mrs. Frank L. Baum, Boyertown, Pa.
Miss Dorothy Baum, Boyertown, Pa.
H. K. Beard, Schaefferstown, Pa.
Mrs. H. K. Beard, Schaefferstown, Pa.
Miss Elizabeth Beitler, Downingtown, Pa.
Al. Bergstrom, Coatesville, Pa.
Carl P. Birkinbine, Cynwyd, Pa.
A. R. Buckwalter, Flemington, N. J.

G. Y. Clement, West Chester, Pa.
Mrs. G. Y. Clement, West Chester, Pa.
Oliver Croshaw, Hightstown, Pa.
Elroy Curtis, Brookfield, Conn.
Wm. Curtis, New York, N. Y.

Dr. W. C. Deming, 31 Owen St., Hartford, Conn.
Milton Dull, Schaefferstown, Pa.
Mrs. Milton Dull, Schaefferstown, Pa.

C. E. Endy, Yellow House, Pa.
Mrs. C. E. Endy, Yellow House, Pa.

Prof. F. N. Fagan, State College, Pa.
Frank H. Frey, Chicago, Ill.

Joseph B. Gable, Stewartstown, Pa.
S. H. Graham, Ithaca, N. Y.

Paul W. Hafer, Lorane, Pa.
J. W. Hartman, Sligo, Pa.
Dr. Julian T. Hammond, Newtown, Pa.
John K. Hershey, Ronks, Pa.
J. R. Hershey, Kinzers, Pa.
John W. Hershey, Downingtown, Pa.
Mrs. John W. Hershey, Downingtown, Pa.
C. F. Hostetter, Bird-in-Hand, Pa.
Mrs. C. F. Hostetter, Bird-in-Hand, Pa.
L. K. Hostetter, Lancaster, Pa.

Mrs. J. F. Jones, Lancaster, Pa.
Miss Mildred Jones, Lancaster, Pa.